Trails I’ve Hiked: Congress Trail

While hiking down the General Sherman Tree Trail at Sequoia National Park in California, you’ll be keeping company with many other people along the way (unless hiking this trail very early in the morning). But veer to your left off this trail and onto the Congress Trail, and you’ll meet fewer hikers negotiating this 2.7-mile (4.34-kilometer) roundtrip lollipop-shaped hike, plus you can walk right up to these amazing giant sequoias.

Located about three-fourths of the way down the General Sherman Tree Trail, you’ll see the trailhead sign to your left. This is a paved trail and considered accessible. 

According to Park Staff:

For accessible access to the Congress Trail and General Sherman Tree, park at the small parking area along the Generals Highway two miles (3.2 km) north of the Giant Forest Museum.

From here, the trail to the General Sherman Tree is paved with inclines of up to 5% and limited cross-slopes. There are benches along the trail.

After an initial short descent, the trail climbs gently but steadily to a T-junction at which you can turn left and continue the full Congress Trail, or turn right for a shortcut completing the last leg of this trail and heading back to the General Sherman Tree Trail and parking area. Take a left. The crowds you encountered at the beginning of this trail thin out and you’ll eventually find yourself mostly alone the further you hike the trail.

From there, you will wander along a route bearing the distinction of having the most clusters of sequoia trees on such a short trail. These tree groups include the Congressionally-themed Senate and House Trees. You’ll also pass near neck-craning monarch sequoias including the President, Chief Sequoyah, and McKinley trees.

All along the trail you will notice charred sequoias, some dead and some still thriving. These giant trees have seen a thing or two during their centuries standing silent sentinel within what humans aptly named Giant Forest.

While wandering Congress Trail, take the time to observe your surroundings. You’ll see small clearings surrounded by giant sequoias, and perhaps mushrooms and other fungi growing directly from the ground or on a tree stump. You’ll hear birdsong all through your hike, and maybe even the breathy “whomp whomp” of a raven as it wings its way past you.

Eventually you will come to a junction with the Alta Trail. I continued along the Congress Trail and shortly thereafter reached the beginning of those Congressionally-themed tree clusters. The first named tree you will see is the 3,200-year-old President Tree. There was a post with no sign designation at this tree and the only reason I knew which giant sequoia this was is because of the bench across the trail from it and that empty sign post. Plus, an earlier sign along the trail pointed the way.

Beside the President Tree is a 0.1-mile (0.16-kilometer) side trail to the stately Chief Sequoyah Tree.

Past the President Tree, the trail gently descends into a forest filled with clusters of other sequoias, eventually reaching a five-way junction centered around the McKinley Tree. I kept to the Congress Trail, although there’s the option to take the Alta Trail about 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) to the Lincoln Tree before returning to the Congress Trail, or you may continue along the other trails past more giant sequoia trees.

Eventually, the trail takes a slightly steeper descent and near - but not down to - the accessible/bus parking area to Sherman Trail. From there, the trail climbs again and before you know it, you’ve left the Congress Trail and are once again on the General Sherman Tree Trail, standing near the huge cross-section slab cut from the stump of a giant sequoia. From there, you’ll make that final climb back up to the main Sherman Tree parking lot.

You may notice in this article quite a few photos of me. That’s because I represent scale and reference to show you how large around these great sequoias can spread as well as the heights they can attain. If you enjoy photography, bring your camera and tripod with you, not only for landscape imagery, but also selfies of you and the trees. Set your camera on the tripod, focus on the area where you will stand, dial in that 10-second timer, and quickly get to your designated spot before the shutter clicks. Better yet, bring along a wireless remote (which I forgot, hence the 10-second timer)

It’s humbling and awe inspiring standing next to these ancient behemoths which have stood the testament of time and withstood the heat of multiple wildfires through the centuries.

Note: Pets are not allowed on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In developed areas, pets must be kept on a leash at all times.